Ketamine Treatment for Neuralgia in Southern California

Intravenous (IV) ketamine therapy is proven to relieve symptoms of many psychiatric disorders. As a leading IV ketamine provider, Neuro Wellness Spa has helped many patients struggling with chronic pain.

IV ketamine therapy is coordinated by Dr. Martha Koo, Neuro Wellness Spa’s Medical Director. She is an active member of the American Society of Ketamine Physicians. A leading authority on psychiatric disorders for over 20 years, Dr. Koo is passionate about using IV ketamine to help her patients with chronic pain conditions.

What is Ketamine IV Therapy?

Millions of people suffer from chronic and debilitating physical and psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression. However, many of these conditions may stop responding to medications, like anti-depressants, and other therapies. IV ketamine therapy is a safe and effective treatment option for people who suffer from treatment-resistant:

Depression

Anxiety

Acute suicidality

PTSD

Chronic pain

Physicians have used Ketamine for over 50 years as an anesthetic. However, new research indicates its effectiveness in other applications too.

Researchers at Mass General Hospital conducted the largest study of IV ketamine therapy. They found that over 70% of patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression experienced symptom relief with IV ketamine therapy. This study, along with a growing number of others, is a major finding that demonstrates the effectiveness of IV ketamine for those who have tried standard treatments but haven’t responded adequately.

What is Ketamine IV Therapy?

NeuroWellness Spa TMS Offices

Millions of people suffer from chronic and debilitating physical and psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression. However, many of these conditions may stop responding to medications, like anti-depressants, and other therapies. IV ketamine therapy is a safe and effective treatment option for people who suffer from treatment-resistant:

Depression

Anxiety

Acute suicidality

PTSD

Chronic pain

Physicians have used Ketamine for over 50 years as an anesthetic. However, new research indicates its effectiveness in other applications too.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Machine at the NeuroWellness Spa.

Researchers at Mass General Hospital conducted the largest study of IV ketamine therapy. They found that over 70% of patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression experienced symptom relief with IV ketamine therapy. This study, along with a growing number of others, is a major finding that demonstrates the effectiveness of IV ketamine for those who have tried standard treatments but haven’t responded adequately.

How is Neuralgia Treated with Ketamine IV Therapy?

If medications and nonpharmacological interventions don’t work, IV ketamine therapy may be a treatment option for neuralgia. IV ketamine is known for its ability to help relieve therapy-resistant chronic pain syndromes, especially those syndromes that have a neuropathic component, such as complex regional pain syndrome type 1 (CRPS-1), post-herpetic neuralgia and neuropathic pain from peripheral nerve damage.

Ketamine was originally approved by the FDA as an anesthetic. Today, it can be used to treat a range of physical and psychiatric disorders.

So how does the ketamine for neuralgia work?

The dosage is decided based on the patient’s body weight (0.5mg/kg). The drug is administered at a slow and controlled pace to the patient by a trained clinician. Patients do not experience any cardiovascular, respiratory, or hallucinogenic effects during or after the treatment.

In fact, IV Ketamine doesn’t have any long-lasting associated side effects. Although some people may experience sensitivity to light and/or sound and disorientation while the treatment is administered, these feelings subside quickly when the treatment is finished.

IV Ketamine can cause feelings of dissociation while the treatment is being administered. However, many patients report that these feelings of dissociation can help them develop an objective perspective about past experiences.

Ketamine has been shown to effectively and safely treat mood and pain disorders, including neuralgia, by inhibiting N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. When the NMDA receptor is blocked, ketamine brings acute and chronic pain relief. Some researchers indicate that ketamine does this by resetting the hyper-sensitized pain receptors in the nervous system.

What is Neuralgia?

Neuralgia is a mild to severe, shooting pain felt along a nerve pathway. It can affect anywhere on the body, and occurs due to a damaged or irritated nerve. Although are different types of neuralgia, they all can affect the ability to perform everyday tasks and can reduce quality of life.

Symptoms of neuralgia include:

Tingling and/or numbness

Muscle atrophy

Consistent burning or aching pains

Stabbing or shooting pain, typically along the path or around the damaged nerve

Muscle twitching or cramping

Common types of neuralgia include:

Postherpetic neuralgia- persistent or intermittent pain after a bout of shingles

Trigeminal neuralgia- chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, which travels from the brain along the face

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia- pain from the glossopharyngeal nerve, which is felt in the throat and neck.

What Causes Neuralgia?

Neuralgia can result from any number of things. The most common causes of neuralgia are incidents or diseases that cause nerve damage such as:

Multiple sclerosis

Certain infections such as shingles, HIV/AIDS, lyme disease, syphilis

Excessive pressure on the nerves

Diabetes

Chronic kidney disease

Trauma

Certain medications such as cisplatin, paclitaxel or vincristine

While neuralgia is most common in those over the age of 50, it can occur at any age, even in infants.

If you or a loved one is experiencing nerve pain, it’s important to consult a medical professional to understand your treatment options.

Neuralgia Statistics

Neuralgia is common in people over 50, but can occur at any age

Trigeminal neuralgia is more common in women than men

Postherpetic neuralgia is the most common complication from shingles

How Does This Therapy Feel?

At Neuro Wellness Spa, we administer low levels of ketamine in a controlled environment.

Ketamine can be used an anesthetic during surgery. However, the dosage we use during therapy is much lower.

At Neuro Wellness Spa we use FDA-approved doses and closely monitor our patients to make sure they are comfortable and relaxed.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING IV KETAMINE THERAPY TREATMENTS?

One-on-One Consultation with an Expert Psychiatrist

A physician will begin by reviewing your medical records and consulting with you about your needs and preferences for treatment.

You will be asked some important questions.

Such as height, weight, age, and medical history as part of your treatment assessment. This information helps the physicians and medical staff prepare your treatment plan.

Ketamine infusions are administered on an outpatient basis.

Ketamine is administered through an IV, and the infusion lasts between 40-50 minutes.

Your treatment environment can have a large impact on your experience of the infusion.

Your clinician may lower the lights, offer an eye mask or aromatherapy, or take other measures to make the setting more comfortable. You might also choose some relaxing music to help you through the onset phase.

Ketamine is administered through an IV.

You will receive treatment in a private room, accompanied by a trained healthcare professional for the duration of the infusion. As the ketamine is delivered at a low and controlled dosage, your blood pressure, pulse and oxygen saturation will be monitored.

IV Ketamine therapy is fast-acting.

Although you remain aware of your surroundings, you will experience deep relaxation. It is important to enter each infusion with a positive mindset and a tranquil setting.

Some patients may experience dizziness, nausea, dissociation or fatigue.

A complete list of possible side effects will be discussed with you prior to treatment. After a treatment session, it is important to have someone available to accompany you home safely.

Your mindset and emotional state before treatment can impact your experience of the infusion.

Prior to every ketamine infusion, we help our patients prepare intentions for their therapy. The stronger and clearer the intention, the more profound it may help the therapy to be.

Contact Neuro Wellness Spa

If you are suffering from pain caused by neuralgia, there are effective treatment options available at Neuro Wellness Spa.

Even if you have found that your condition is resistant to other treatments, there’s a chance that IV ketamine therapy could provide relief. Our caring staff at Neuro Wellness Spa has experience treating pain with IV ketamine. Schedule a consultation today.